I am in the city for the 47th Annual Flower Festival and that includes a parade! How lucky am I? Not knowing what to expectโฆ.at all, I was absolutely overwhelmed by the amazing Chiang Mai Flower Parade. From the costumes to dancers and of course the floats, everything was amazing!
Logistics
Reading about the route prior to the day, I picked out a place where I might like to stand. This was on a corner right at Tha Phae gate or eastern gate. With the parade due to start at 8am, I arrived at 7:45. My spot was about 1/3 the way along the parade route.
The first police car didnโt even reach me until 9am! This parade ended up being over four HOURS long if you can believe it. At 11:30 I started to walk against the parade as my legs were needing to move.
By 12:30 I was at the starting point of the parade and it was still going. Definitely the longest parade I have ever had the pleasure to attend.
Floats
With a competition in the wings, for best float, you can imagine how amazing these were. Decked out in millions of flowers, both large and small, they were a sight to behold.
A few at the beginning were from larger corporations or administrative offices within the city, but not many. Before long, medium sized floats were streaming past. About two hours in, the massive and competitive floats arrived and they were spectacular.
Faces
Between the floats, were marching bands, dancers and cultural groups, all sporting their individual costumes. This was perhaps my favourite part to be honest. The faces of these extraordinary Thai people are so beautiful.
With the length of the parade, most were trying to keep a smile and their waving hand must have been fatigued. Some though, gave into the need to give their face a rest. ๐ Canโt say I blame them a single bit.
Bands
Must admit, I was not expecting marching bands! What a treat though to hear their instruments blaring and drums banging. These school age kids were well represented with multiple groups and many institutions represented.
Chaos
Never have I ever experienced parade etiquette quite like this. ๐คฃ Most parades I have been to, even those in countries other than the west, are well controlled. The spectators are either behind barricades or participate in keeping away from the actual parade.
Not so in Thailand! People were constantly darting out and into the parade itself for photo ops beside floats and even with individual people in the parade!
The crowds were crushing forward, everyone vying for the best photo opportunity. Eventually the space between the two sides of spectators narrowed so much, that these massive floats were brushing by my legs and the flowers were getting torn from their sides! Can you imagine, how heartbreaking after spending days and hours creating these masterpieces?
What an experience to be part of the Chiang Mai Flower Parade, one I will not soon forget. From start to finish, the overwhelming beauty, chaos and excitement was a unique affair. Those attending in the future, you can quite literally pick any place along the miles and miles of parade route and see everything. No need to arrive early for a good spot. ๐
